Pressure is on Giants' Eli Manning in 2017, Boomer Esiason says

NEW YORK --Eli Manning's offensive line has taken most of the heat this preseason, but Boomer Esiason believes the quarterback is the Giant with something to prove this fall.

"I think the pressure for me, when I look at the Giants, is on Eli," the former Jets quarterback told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday during the NFL on CBS Media Day.

"They're going to have a top-5 defense. They have a plethora of wide receivers. I love this kid Evan Engram. They may not have a great running game, but go make it happen. He's got to be the guy."

Expectations will be sky-high for the Giants this year after going 11-5 in 2016 with two wins over the NFC East champion Cowboys and a wild card playoff berth. The Giants accomplished that last season, though, despite a relatively down year from Manning.

The other is the players the Giants have surrounded Manning with. The team signed veteran Brandon Marshall and selected Engram, a tight end, in the first round of April's NFL Draft to complement incumbent wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. Giants general manager Jerry Reese also signed blocking tight end Rhett Ellison to help bolster a run game that will be helmed by running back Paul Perkins.

Manning completed 18-of-27 passes for 201 yards in limited snaps. His one interception came on an ill-advised heave while under significant duress from the Jets' pass rush in last Saturday's 32-31 game.

Injuries to Beckham and Marshall have limited Manning's time with them, but he seems to be building an on-field rapport with Engram in their absence - a welcomed sign for the Giants, who believe Engram can have an immediate impact as a rookie.

Esiason, who will be part of CBS' NFL studio team again this season, in addition to hosting his morning show on WFAN, calling games for Westwood One Radio and working Showtime's 'Inside The NFL,' said Manning doesn't need to put up big numbers for the Giants to contend for the Super Bowl this season. He just needs to be steady and give the Giants a chance to win because of him, and not in spite of his play.

"I think he's got to have his best year from a consistency standpoint," Esiason said. "Not from a numbers standpoint, like 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Just consistency every week. Being that guy that is the reason why they're winning."